If you’re looking to add a creative touch or improve the readability of your document, knowing how to change page color in Word is an essential skill. Microsoft Word allows you to customize the background of your pages with different colors, perfect for flyers, newsletters, presentations, or personal projects.
Whether you’re using Word on Windows, macOS, or Word Online, this article will guide you step by step.
Why Change the Page Color in Word?
Custom page colors can serve a variety of purposes:
- 🧾 Highlight important documents
- 📢 Create eye-catching flyers or brochures
- 📓 Improve visual clarity for reading
- 🖼️ Match your brand’s theme or style
- 🎓 Make academic or educational materials stand out
This feature adds personality and professionalism to your work.
How to Change Page Color in Word (Windows)
Follow these steps to add a background color:
- Open your Word document
- Click the Design tab on the top ribbon
- Select Page Color in the Page Background group
- Choose a preset color, or click More Colors for custom shades
- The selected color will instantly appear behind your text
💡 Tip: Use lighter colors for readability and printing.
How to Change Page Color in Word (macOS)
Here’s how you do it on a Mac:
- Launch your document
- Click Design in the top toolbar
- Select Page Color
- Pick a standard color or choose More Colors for custom shades
- Click the color to apply it to the entire document
🌈 You can also use RGB or HEX codes for precise brand-matching colors.
How to Change Page Color in Word Online
Word Online has limited design tools, but you can still change the background:
- Open your document in Word Online
- Click File > Save As > Download as Word Document
- Open the downloaded document in the desktop app
- Apply page color there and save the file
- Re-upload to OneDrive if needed
🖥️ For full color features, using the desktop version is recommended.
How to Remove or Reset Page Color
If you want to revert back to the default white page:
- Go to Design > Page Color
- Click No Color
🚫 This removes any previously applied color and returns the background to white.
Custom Color Options and Gradients
While Word does not support gradients for page color directly, you can:
- Insert a full-page Rectangle Shape
- Fill it with a gradient or custom texture
- Send it behind text via Right Click > Wrap Text > Behind Text
🎭 This allows more design flexibility but may affect layout on longer documents.
Printing Considerations
Keep in mind:
- Page background color may not print by default
- To enable printing:
- Go to File > Options > Display
- Check Print background colors and images
- Some printers may use excessive ink with dark backgrounds 🖨️
✔️ Always preview before printing to avoid surprises.
FAQs: How to Change Page Color in Word
Can I change the color of only one page?
No direct option, but using section breaks and inserting colored shapes allows manual coloring per page.
Will page color print automatically?
No. You must enable “Print background colors and images” under File > Options > Display.
Can I use a custom HEX color code?
Yes. In the More Colors dialog, switch to the Custom tab and enter your HEX or RGB values.
Is it possible to apply gradient colors to the page?
Not natively. Use shapes or images as a workaround for gradient backgrounds.
Does Word Online support page color change?
Limited. You need to open the file in the desktop app to change page colors properly.
Will changing the page color affect the text?
Yes, darker backgrounds may reduce readability. Adjust your text color accordingly.
Conclusion: Add Style and Functionality by Changing Page Color in Word
Now that you know how to change page color in Word, you can customize your documents to look vibrant, stylish, and uniquely yours. Whether you’re creating a creative portfolio, an academic handout, or a professional brochure, background color is a great way to stand out.
Use color wisely and elevate your Word documents today.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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